City shoppers ‘flouting rules’ over face masks

SHOPKEEPERS have claimed a significant number of customers are flouting government rules on wearing face masks.

Business owners across the city reported varying degrees of compliance with the new law.

One shopkeeper said as many as 70% of his customers did not wear a face covering.

He said: “There’s nothing we can do about it – we can’t tell them to leave or make them wear a mask.

“We can only ask them why they don’t have one and remind them to bring one next time.”

He said staff were wearing face masks, using sanitiser and standing behind a screen.

He added: “What kind of area your shop is in depends how aware people are about wearing masks. When your shop is in a scheme they don’t bother.”

Another shop owner from said he believed about 40% of his customers do not wear masks in store.

The man, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: “When we ask them why they don’t have a mask they say they are asthmatic or they have other health issues.”

But Mohammad Saleem, owner of Premier Store on Strathmore Avenue, said 90-95% of his customers are wearing masks and staff offer a free covering to those who are not.

He said: “We can’t pressure them into wearing it – we can just ask and give them a free one.

“Some of them say they are asthmatic and there’s nothing we can do. They might not be telling the truth, we can’t say.”

Peter Serreenu, shop assistant at Day-Today Elite on Brownhill Road, reported a similar level of compliance.

He said: “Some people don’t bother so I remind them and they do come in wearing one next time.

“I feel OK about it unless they have a cough but we have a screen for protection.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie of Police Scotland said: “The chief constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing, and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance.

“We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.”

These shoppers in the city centre wearing masks are in the minority, according to some shopkeepers.